Team Great Bentley has been more than living up to its name this fortnight. Although this report may be a little London-centric, you lot have been removing the gender debate over who runs the world; turns out it’s us! 

London’s Burning 

Marathon Sunday was a hot one, but that didn’t stop the waterfall of PBs from some Bentley Royalty. First up, Queen Magdalena Komorowska set the street alight with a 7 minute PB. Magdalena’s time of 3:32:44 puts her in 7th place in the GBRC rankings. This impressive accomplishment was documented by some fantastic action shots which suggest that if you want to run faster you need to smile and wave the whole way round. Yet we all appreciate the reality of how much hard work went into this achievement!  

After the right royal set back of deferring last year, the regal Helen Coe set sail on her jaunt around the Thames determined to make it memorable and appreciate every stride. It seems the 26.2 wasn’t challenging enough so she added singing, dancing and working the crowd to her race day itinerary. And I can’t be the only one eager to find out how the beer at mile 23 played out? Helen, it’s safe to say: you felt like a superstar because you are one!  

Golden girl Lisa Briggs also stepped out for her first race of the marathon distance, getting to the palace in an impressive 3:43:52. A Herculean effort when contextualised by an injury plagued training block. This achievement is a sure testament to Lisa’s strength and the wisdom in balancing hard work with avoiding exacerbating the injury. Judicious in executing her race day plan with a negative split, she ran her fastest 10k in the closing quarter.  

And now to our King of the Capital: Martin Cotton(ed) on to a Marathon PB in London too! Sunbaked and exhausted, Martin wove through the crowds with the final push facilitated by the GBRC cheer squad. Despite the complaints about the soaring temperatures, here he is looking very cool and with only the medal suggesting he’d completed a marathon at all: 

Now Clacton hasn’t had a Palace since the 1940s, but it sure had a Royal Procession on Marathon Sunday.  Andrea Markwick completed London MyWay in 4:47:38 securing a 20 minute PB and spurred on by the sapphires at her side. Whilst Paul Hughes also graced the coastline with a sparkling PB covering the distance in 3:46:36.  

Not Running LND 

More astounding success for Sarah Evans who was first lady and set a course record at the 10K “Windmill Route” at The Suffolk Running Centre, covering the distance 42:49. I am not sure what I’m more impressed by: how fresh you look after running that fast or how you manage to make Suffolk look like Spain! 

Even further afield, Yolanda and Paul Arnold graced The Tissington Trail Half Marathon with their presence; their tour taking them on and out and back, uphill to start but finishing on a decline. Paul completed the course in 1:55:28 while Yolanda finished in 2:08:55.  

Richard Allen dodged London, travelling instead to the Belfast City Marathon. The course took Richard through all four areas of the city and delivered the famed local support spurring him home to yet another marathon PB in 4:16. 

Acknowledging the support of our brilliant coaches, Fiona Gosling capitalised on her training to complete a 50 mile event in South Wales. Reputed as one of the toughest mountain events with epic climbs, Fiona completed two laps in near perfect conditions. It seems the weather gods were smiling on your fortitude and determination. 

Closer to home, there was more GBRC success from Dean Pepper who finished 3rd in the Essex Winter Series Orienteering League. If this news makes you a little jealous then you too can compete alongside Dean in the Summer series, more details here: https://www.stragglers.info/events/essex-summer-midweek-2026-04-15 

Harwich 5K Series 

Now I am not sure who is owed the photo credit here, but the sea of blues against a backdrop of the blue sea looks spectacular. Although by all reports what the photo omits is the barrage of winds which attempted to impede our athletes (spoiler – it didn’t!)   

One success story from the Harwich series came from Stephen Bullen, who battled the elements to finish in 19.28. He also finished in 7th place at Maldon’s 5K handicap series in a steady 19.19 (although I’m going to argue that calling a sub 20 5K “steady” is an oxymoron!)   

The Final Sprint 

Huge congratulations to Katie Collin and Claire Poole who both completed the St Neots Sprint Triathlon securing 2nd place in their respective age categories. Another beautiful example of the camaraderie we do so well at GBRC. 

Anyone I missed? 

No less accomplished but maybe with slightly fewer details, let’s hear it for: Donna Parker-Evans who completed the Great Birmingham 10K race with no rain on her parade; Leoni Harvey who ruled supreme at the Milton Keynes Rocket 5K; and Aimee and Paul Smith raced the Ipswich Twilight 5K. Congratulations and enjoy all of the endorphins! 

Parkrun Round Up

GBRC have been dominating the fields at Parkruns with Larina Marsh coming in 1st place in her age category at Walton Park Run in 26.39. Whilst Craig Mitchell finished in 5th place overall (1st in his age category) at Maldon Parkrun completing the course in 19:35.  

Walton Parkrun hosted an ocean on blues who enjoyed the course and then some breakfast. Soon after, Magdalena and Tomasz Komorowski visited our newest local Parkrun and enjoyed it immensely.  

Heading back towards London, Hélène Tyler and Bee Brent undertook some Parkrun tourism at the Pymmes course in Walthamstow, taking in three lovely laps in 35:38. Whilst Sammy and Martin Cotton ran the inaugural Thorney Bay Beach Parkrun, which is so new they were denied a sign for their photo!  

To all this fortnight’s success stories: I hope you are well and truly exhibiting your bling (it’s not a medal; it’s an accessory!) If you’re rehabbing or preparing for a race, know you’ve got this whole great team rooting for you!